19 Indian fishermen will be released on April 11: Sri Lankan minister

Colombo: Sri Lanka has promised to release 19 Indian fishermen, who are in its custody for allegedly crossing into its waters. Sri Lankan Minister for Rural Community Development Armugam Thondaman told CNN-IBN that the India fishermen would be released on April 11.

Sri Lanka had on March 15 released 34 of the 53 Indian fishermen arrested by its Navy. The release had come a day after India summoned Sri Lanka's Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a strong protest over the arrest of the fishermen.

"The case will coming up for hearing at the Mannar court on April 11, so we will be sending our lawyer to intervene too. As of now it looks like we should be able to get them out on April 11," said Thondaman.

Sri Lanka had on March 15 released 34 of the 53 Indian fishermen arrested by its Navy.